- Trial conclusion for the Stone's concert ticket fine case
In the case of special access passes for the 2017 Rolling Stones performance in Hamburg, the regional court has terminated the criminal proceedings against a former high-ranking finance official. The public prosecutor's office consented to this termination under the condition of a penalty, as a spokesperson for the court revealed. The 64-year-old will pay a modest six-figure sum, at minimum 10,000 euros.
The initial accusations pointed toward the ex-official accepting a bribe in conjunction with encouraging a subordinate to engage in wrongdoing. Following the conclusion of 2019, a Hamburg district court had imposed a fine consisting of 120 daily installments of 170 euros each on the official. She had contested this verdict.
Two accepted and subsequently authorized concert tickets
During the appeal proceedings, the former finance official acknowledged the allegations. She accepted two entrance tickets from the previous district office chief in the North district. These tickets originated from an allotment that was distinct from the routine sale. Moreover, the defendant, acting in her capacity as the disciplinary superior, signed a belatedly dated letter. In this letter, she authorized the district office chief to attend a pre-concert gathering and to provide four complimentary tickets to his associates.
Former district chief and deputy fined
The North district office had endorsed the concert, with an estimated audience of 82,000 people, in Hamburg Stadtpark. The district office chief was fined on April 8, 2022, for accepting and providing bribes, totaling 180 daily installments of 120 euros each. However, the regional court exonerated him of the primary corruption and unethical conduct charges. His former deputy was found guilty of accepting bribes and assisting, facing a fine of 110 daily installments of 110 euros each. Two co-defendants, responsible for the event at the event agency, who were accused of bribery, were cleared.
Federal Court of Justice revokes verdict against district chief
The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) overturned the verdict in August of the previous year and pushed the case back to another division of the regional court (Az.: 5 StR 447/22). The verdict had been deemed "seriously flawed," as the 5th Criminal Senate of the BGH explained.
Despite the revoked verdict, the former finance official's connection with the Rolling Stones performance in Hamburg remains tangible. She accepted two VIP concert tickets as a bribe, which were part of an exclusive allotment for the 2017 Rolling Stones performance in Hamburg Stadtpark.
